THREE TOPS FOR TODAY

With the cooler weather finally reaching New York City this week, long sleeve tops, particularly blouses have returned to my daily wardrobe. With a preference for wearing mostly black, I recently placed some of my favorite Vince and Theory black silk blouses in the front of my closet for easy access.

From time to time I consider incorporating color in my clothing rotation. Yesterday while browsing the websites of some brands I wear or like but have not purchased, I came across these three tops that caught my attention. They are from Tibi, rag & bone and Joseph. I have not yet seen any of these in person. I hope to make it to a store to check them out.

The grey Tibi blouse, listed on Tibi's website is called "Feather Weight Eco Crepe Davenport Sculpted Shirt" With the drop shoulder and the different ways to tie the scarf/panels, it looks to be a versatile blouse that could be worn on repeat. A nice attribute is the notice about sustainability. The website states: "Crafted from sustainable weather weight acetate and tencel crepe with a special airy finish" This blouse also comes in black. Check it out: https://tinyurl.com/22bf7kdk

Not a fan of floral prints for myself, though looks great on others, I became interested when I came across a rag & bone blouse on the Neiman Marcus website. It is named "Aubrey Floral Button-Front Top." Though it is described as a floral, it looks to be a terrific muted one. With pops of cheerful bright colors and pleats in the front and back, it is a blouse that is on the "top" of my list to consider. Take a look: https://tinyurl.com/yc4hnp22 As a side note, rag & bone is a favorite brand. A previous post, written in April 2023 covers my brand experience

and rag & bone's Icons. For quick reference to the post: https://tinyurl.com/mr4rkpd8

I have not yet purchased clothes from the brand JOSEPH. On its website, it states:"JOSEPH is a British contemporary designer brand with a strong core of luxury essentials." This description definitely comes through when looking through the website. A view of this blouse on the website might lead me to finally become a JOSEPH client! This blouse, named "Silk Crepe de Chine Bailie Blouse" though a simple color, parchment looks elegant, and yet simple enough for daily wear. The fabrication is a lightweight silk crepe and has an invisible back zipper. Have a look: https://tinyurl.com/393mw6wz

I'm so glad the weather has changed to Fall like temperatures. Along with this, looking forward to wearing some delightful new blouses!

IN FASHION WITH... D'ORSAY SHOES

The d’Orsay / D’Orsay style shoe is one of my favorite shoe styles, especially those with pointed toes and a high heels.

The d'Orsday style is a shoe that is carved out around the arch and shows more of the foot when compared with typical pumps or flats that wrap around closer to the foot. Some brands refer to shoes with just one side cut out as being the d'Orsday style.

An example of the one side cut out, and described on its website as such is the Christian Louboutin shoe shown here. This outstanding shoe, ($995) adorned with mini spikes is called Vidura, one of the styles in the brand's new collection. When I checked for this shoe on January 28, 2024 it was no longer available on the brand site. Yet, the one side cut out pump style is available under different style names. The one shown here is called Iriza 85MM Satin D'Orsay Pumps. This is the link to the shoes priced at $845 available at Saks Fifth Avenue: http://tinyurl.com/3pdr47uk

In recent years it has been difficult finding d'Orsays. The good news, based on my in-store and online searches in recent weeks is this style is becoming a little easier to find. It is great seeing the uptick in the availability of this style and would like to see more.

Below are some of the d'Orsay shoes I've located, ranging from flats to stiletto high heels and this style is also available across a range of price points.

• Gianvito Rossi

• Something Bleu

• Zara

• Vince

Gianvito Rossi's black d'Orsay pointed toe pump, with a heel about four inches high, shown here and named Karina is a gorgeous shoe! The company's website states: "The front is embellished with an oversize rose with metallic zip detail trim." Gianvito Rossi's website shows it is available only in black. https://tinyurl.com/2p99wurs Update: Noted on January 28, 2024 the price is reduced from $1,195 to $717.

Bergdorf Goodman had Karina in a gorgeous shade of red. However, when I looked at the Bergdorf Goodman website today, January 28, 2024 it no lo longer listed. I could see it being a hot item and it sold out!

The brand, Something Bleu on the

buttershoes.com website has beautiful kitten heel d'Orsay shoes for special occasions. If shades of Barbie are still on your mind, or if looking for a perfectly hot pink satin shoe, adorned with some glitter this could be the right choice. The style, Darla, ($375) has a heel of about 1.5 inches. For a better look at these shoes, refer to this link: https://tinyurl.com/yu64zc58 Note these shoes are available in other colors such as black and ivory. The Something Bleu brand, which has other pretty styles is also available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

With metallics now a fashion must have, Zara's gold kitten heel pumps ($49.90 when post was originally published. As of January 28, 2024 the price is $15.99) are a stylish pair to consider. For those fearing metallic clothes are too much to wear, a metallic shoe is an option to be in step with the metallic trend. Click here to see them on the website: https://tinyurl.com/5ycheffs

Of note, the Zara website does not mention d'Orsay when describing these shoes. Searching the Zara website using the word d'Orsay reveals zero results.

Zara is not alone with not using the word d'Orsay to describe shoes that are d'Orsays. For instance, on the Giorgio Armani website there is a lovely d'Orsay pair that is a pleated nappa leather high heel pump. The price is $1,095

The website does not mention it is the d'Orsay style. Check out these striking shoes here:https://tinyurl.com/5a9fhd75

Vince has been one of my favorite go to clothing brands for about a decade and have written about Vince in previous posts. I'm drawn to Vince's basic, yet thoughtful designs and fit, along with their feel good fabrics: cashmere, silk and pima cotton. I've also worn

Vince shoes. In fact two of my favorite pairs, both pointed toed high heels were d'Orsays. Purchased about eight - nine years ago the two styles Celeste (black suede) and Claire (black leather) were perfect pumps. I wore them out. Parting with comfortable high heels were sad days! These two styles would be perfect candidates to be evergreen products in the Vince shoes line-up.

While perusing the Vince website last month it was great seeing an addition to the shoes section-- a pair of black leather pointed toe d'Orsay heels. The style, ($350 and as of January 28, 2024 listed for $245) with a wide stacked heel over three and a half inches is called Prim. Check these out here: https://tinyurl.com/2psxyp2m

I'm glad shoe brands are including d'Orsay styles and some are adding them to their offerings. It is a step in the right direction and hoping to see more!

FASHION COLLABORATIONS - A FEW SPECIAL ONES!

Fashion brands collaborating with other fashion brands and fashion brands collaborating with retail brands are developments I enjoy following. It gives me the opportunity to ferret out why and how these collaborations came about and then when publicly available, reading up on how the launches went. These collaborations might happen for several reasons, such as:

• Seeking new shoppers who could become long term customers. In a number of cases, shoppers might be a customer for only one of the brands involved. With the two brands now working together with the products, shoppers could become loyal to the other brand now involved with the new products.

• Generating publicity as the coming together of these brands to create and sell these products are typically seen as "thinking outside the box."

• Creating buzz and excitement to shop for these newly created products.

At times the products quickly sell out. This scarcity could generate hype and might build website and store store traffic during the time of collaboration. Note though anecdotal evidence suggests the increase in store traffic does not hold up after the items are sold. Additionally, there have been situations of scarcity being driven by shoppers scooping up the products and selling them for steep price increases on resale platforms. This, in turn at times generated negative publicity for the brands.

Two collaborations that quickly come to mind because of significant media attention include a fashion brand and a retail brand and two fashion brands. In 2015 Lilly Pulitzer, known for women's "Palm Beach" bold resort wear, accessories and home goods and Target collaborated on a limited edition collection of about 250 items. The popularity of this launch reportedly, though unconfirmed, crashed Target's website and sold out online and in the stores within hours.

Target, which started collaborations in 1999 with a Michael Graves Design Collection, set-up a pop-up shop in New York City for this Lilly Pulitzer collaboration. Target's other collaborations with fashion brands included Nili Lotan and Love Shack Fancy. These are two brands I would not have imagined to be seen selling in Target. Yet they do meet the rough criteria of these brands being introduced to a wider audience.

The luxury fashion brand Balenciaga and Crocs, the ubiquitous footwear company which states on its website sold 850 million shoes worldwide since inception in 2002 have collaborated several times. The second shoe collaboration, in 2021 generated lots of social media attention and opinions! The shoe style, within the brand Balenciaga x Crocs is the Madame 80mm Mule. It is a stiletto Croc, with a heel over three inches. Not only did the style get attention, but one of the colors it came in also generated conversation. The shades is a bright green, known as grass green. The shoes came in black, white, pink and green. Today, some are selling for a premium on resale platforms.

Several interesting fashion brands and fashion retail collaborations caught my eye in Summer 2023 and Fall 2023, for both keeping me on my toes to figure out what went into the idea and strategy for the collaboration as well as the products offered for sale are noted below. Three of these collaborations relate to lingerie and closely related garments.

• SIMKHAI X WOLFORD

• HANKY PANKY X PRABAL GURUNG

• Fleur X Marilyn

A Fall 2023 collaboration includes the manufacturer and high-end retailer, Wolford, founded in 1950 in Austria. It operates over 200 boutiques throughout the world and also sells in stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's and Harrods. While widely known for selling hosiery in the United States, on its website, Wolford refers to itself as "the market leader in high-quality skinwear." Wolford sells lingerie clothing (tops, dresses) and leggings in beautiful designs and fabrications.

Wolford's collaboration is with the fashion brand SIMKHAI. SIMKHAI was started by Jonathan Simkhai in 2010. The collaboration is called SIMKHAI x Wolford Fall 2023 Collection. Wolford's website states:"Immerse yourself in the SIMKHAI x Wolford Fall 2023 Collection - a daring synthesis of Wolford's unrivaled craftsmanship and SIMKHAI's contemporary edge."

On the left is one of the items, a long sleeve contoured ribs top and is priced at $480. The items on both the Wolford and SIMKHAI websites look to be a nice "fit" -- a nice collaboration as I could see each company producing a somewhat similar item on its own, such as part of the top being sheer. The corroboration looks well thought out and combines the best of both brands.

Hanky Panky, established in 1977 and according to its website, created the thong in 1986 (and reports 45.6 million thongs sold globally) and Prabal Gurung, established in 2009 known for glamour and luxury clothing introduced HANKY PANKY X PRABAL GURUNG in Fall 2023.

The Hanky Panky website describes the new product line as "2 ICONIC BRANDS. 1 SINGULAR VISION." It also states:"These pieces were crafted with specially-designed hardware and embroidered details uniquely created for this collection." I can see these unique design features add a special touch and illustrate the care that went into this collaboration.

After viewing the approximate 30 items on the Hanky Panky website the conclusions are this is a terrific well thought out corroboration and the pieces are lovely! One of the items, a cut out bodysuit is shown above right. In addition to pieces in neutral colors such as black and gold there are beautiful mesh and embroidered pieces in purple and fuchsia. As a side note, years ago, through my membership with the New Museum in New York City I had the opportunity to join a group and visit with Prabal Gurung in his New York City studio. I enjoyed learning about his creative process.

Fleur du Mal, founded in 2012 is a luxury brand, designing and selling lingerie, ready-to-wear and swim. The items are sold though retailers such as Bloomingdale's and online stores such as matchesfashions and Revolve..In addition to an inviting website, Fleur du Mal operates two stores, one located in New York City and one in West Hollywood. Its website describes the company:"Its products are delicate and sophisticated, using luxury fabrics like French Leavers lace and bespoke embroideries crafted by world-class artisans. ... They can be cheeky, too, featuring whimsical prints and provocative silhouettes; the true embodiment of a “naughty flower.”

Named Fleur X Marilyn, the collaboration is with Fleur

du Mal, the Marilyn Monroe Estate and photographer Bert Stern’s Estate. It launched in June 2023 on what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 97th birthday. According to news reports, the collection, which is for one season only, is sold through Fleur du Mal and by retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue.

The pink dress shown above is one of the standouts in the collaboration. The shade of this dress has a cute and appropriate name. It is called: "Some like it Hot Pink." The description of this dress on the Fleur du Mal website sounds luxurious and lovely: "Features a luxe silk charmeuse body and chiffon cups with sequin embellished detailing"

When describing collaborations, one of my own fashion collaborations is shown in the top photo. When I was working in Hong Kong I had clothes designed and made by Sam's Tailor. In this outfit, I picked out the fabric for the jacket at a fabric seller and Roshan at Sam's Tailor took care of the rest of the fabric selections and design. One of a number of my beautiful fashion collaborations with Sam's Tailor!

What are some of your recent favorite fashion collaborations?